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It was eight weeks ago that the Villa attacker stood on the pitch at Sunderland, looking confused while Unai Emery admonished him over not reading a penetrating pass. Back then, as the club failed to win in six, doubts remained whether Rogers' form were a symptom or the source of the team's wider issues.

“As Rogers swept in his second… Emery ripped off his thick padded coat, spread his arms and roared.”

In the latest match, however, the sideline response was far more favourable. As Rogers curled home his brace-sealing goal to reclaim Villa's lead, Emery discarded his winter coat, opened his arms and shouted in triumph. The Birmingham club marched on to ten wins in a row and after failing to win their initial half-dozen fixtures, now sit a mere three points behind pace-setters Arsenal.

Are They Serious Hopefuls?

That’s a particularly tough question to address. The historical record, a general sense of Villa, suggests not. Moreover, their performances haven't been wholly dominant during this run, even as the wins have stacked up.

As per Opta, on just two occasions have Villa had an expected goals figure more than 0.5 greater than the other team. For a side that have just won 10 in a row, Villa look curiously susceptible – but right now the tight outcomes are going in their favour.

The Reliant Strategy

The current approach seems to be to trade blows with rivals and wait for Rogers to rescue them with a couple of crisp finishes. This occurred against Leeds, it happened against West Ham, and it happened versus United.

The initial strike came from a superb shot, bent right inside the upright from a wide position. His brace-completing goal acted as a slightly less clean iteration of his first as he pounced on an Ollie Watkins lay-off.

“Rogers’ right foot is now akin to Robben’s legendary left: forewarned does not mean forearmed, and stopping him is another matter entirely.”

How Long Can This Continue?

Common sense dictates no. During the latest victory, the opposition managed more efforts and more shots on target. Villa have won each of their last eight by a single goal. They have allowed goals in nearly all of those matches.

Regression to the mean could be the greatest opponent Villa must confront over the coming weeks. The forward, surely, cannot maintain thrashing the ball into the top corner indefinitely.

Reasons for Optimism

Perhaps there is a different scenario whereby, instead of luck running out, the level of play rises to match the results. Vital cogs might still rediscover their best form.

• Ollie Watkins may begin to adding to his goal tally.
• The attacking talent may rediscover the performer he was at Borussia Dortmund.
• Tyrone Mings and Pau Torres are set to come back from the treatment room, fortifying an occasionally vulnerable defence.

Maybe within that lies the possibility for a sustained push, but they surely can persist in leaning entirely on Morgan Rogers.

Enjoying the Ride

However, this was unforeseen. It seemed improbable Aston Villa would be third at Christmas. And certainly back in October, nobody thought the young forward as the year closed would be spearheading a championship pursuit while establishing himself as an essential player for the national team.

The current run is to be savoured precisely because it seems so surreal. When the hero faced the North End at the final whistle conducting the cheers, he seemed to be relishing every moment. A feeling he has rightly earned. These runs of form are rare in football and ought to be celebrated.